Scripture for Today: Philippians 1:11 …“filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.”

My husband and I loved living in an area surrounded by vineyards.  Each season brought beautiful changes and the anticipated fruit was celebrated with festivals at its arrival.  Our landlords were vinedressers themselves and taught us much about the different varieties.  Alsace boasts 7 different grapes; Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sylvaner, and Pinot Noir.  Not only were these varieties distinctly different but the climate, the soil and the sun exposure all contributed to more subtle differences.  All it took was a difference of 100 meters in location to completely change the fruit.

Our verse for today is a prayer of Paul for the believers in Philippi.  He prays that they will  be filled with love (verse 10) in order to produce the fruit of righteousness.  That fruit cannot be produced except through Jesus Christ.  There is no fruit of righteousness without being connected to the Vine (John 15:5)  But connected to Him we can be filled with that fruit!

Just as there is so much variety among the grapes of Alsace, so there are varieties among the spiritual fruit of believers.  Each season of life is different.  Each person’s spiritual gifting is different.  Each believer’s circumstances are different.  I can get distracted from my own “fruit production” by comparing myself to others.  The fruit God is producing in me is supposed to be different than what He is producing in someone else.  I am a different variety!

I thank God for different varieties!  I thank Him that He is the One who produces the fruit in me.  It is all about Him and His glory and praise.

Lord, thank you that You use even my variety of fruit for Your glory!